CLEARWATER, Fla. — Roadrunners defeated Rice 4-2 in game one of the American Athletic Conference Championship on Tuesday, May 20, at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. UTSA will now face off against the fifth-seeded Tulane Green Wave at noon on Thursday, May 22, at BayCare Ballpark.
BASICS:
Score: UTSA 4, Rice 2
Records: UTSA 43-11, Rice 17-39
Location: BayCare Ballpark
Win: Robert Orloski (8-0) | Loss: Davion Hickson (2-7)
The Roadrunners struck first in the bottom half of the first, all thanks to Mason Lytle, who blasted a home run over the left field wall. This was his eighth homer of the year, first since April 26.
After a walk to lead off the inning for Rice in the fifth, the Owls laid down a bunt, hoping to move the runner to second, but an errant throw allowed the lead runner to advance to third. The Owls were then able to score that runner on another sacrifice bunt to tie the game 1-1.
In the sixth, Rice took the lead on an RBI single. The starter, Braylon Owens’ day would come to an end as Robert Orloski came into the game to close out the sixth. Owens finished with a career high 11 strikeouts on 5.2 innings pitched, allowing just 1 earned run on 104 pitches.
After being held scoreless for six innings, the Roadrunners were able to finally bring in a run in the eighth. Caden Miller got things started reaching on a hit by pitch. Lytle picked up his third hit of the day, advancing Miller 90 feet away. James Taussig played hero for UTSA as he doubled to right center, allowing both Miller and Lytle to score, giving UTSA the one-run lead. Norris McClure added an insurance run for UTSA as he singled to left field, allowing Taussig to score, putting UTSA up 4-2.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The win is UTSA’s first win in the American Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.
- The Roadrunners have now won five straight against Rice, dating back to April 28, 2024. This is the longest win streak the Roadrunners have had over Rice.
- With a single in the first, McClure advanced his hit streak to 20 games.
- Owens threw a career-high 11 strikeouts in his 5.2 innings of work.
- Lytle had three hits on the day for his 28th multi-hit game of the season.
- Taussig had three hits in the game and two RBIs for his 15th multi-hit game of the season.
- McClure recorded two hits for his 18th multi-hit game of the season.
-UTSA-